First, the writer seems to think that an 11-5 season is "about right" for the Saints. I felt the Saints got extremely unlucky with missed field goals against Atlanta and Arizona costing them one clear win and possibly two. I really really really feel the Saints should have gone 13-3 last year. THAT would have been "about right" for the Saints.

Second, the writer says that without Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey the Saints will be desperate for an influx of talent. No, no, no. We have Jimmy Graham, a star in the making, and we just signed Shaun Rogers who isn't exactly talentless. Plus, we have another star on the rise in Malcolm Jenkins and the performances of Marques Colston and Lance Moore are unimpeachible.

Third, the writer states that "Sean Payton is a good coach. The problem is, he reminds you of a college coach who takes the league by storm and then loses his luster." Again, I completely disagree. It took Payton's fourth year and the addition of Gregg Williams as DC to take home the Lombardi. It's not as if Payton just waltzed into New Orleans and got a Super Bowl ring and was a flash in the pan. Three playoff runs out of five seasons doesn't exactly jive with the idea of a coach "losing his luster."

Other than that, it was okay, but I feel the article was written from the perspective of a bitter Colts fan.

It was a pretty good read from another fans prospective. But I agree w/Clint above, he's off on a couple of things. Still, if free agency doesn't deplete us too bad, we'll be ok and make another run at it.

The one thing the Saints do well is fill in spots in free agency so we are not needing any one position to fill in the draft. This has led to us selecting the best player on the board and not reaching. That's the mark of a good team.

It was a pretty good read from another fans prospective. But I agree w/Clint above, he's off on a couple of things. Still, if free agency doesn't deplete us too bad, we'll be ok and make another run at it.

The one thing the Saints do well is fill in spots in free agency so we are not needing any one position to fill in the draft. This has led to us selecting the best player on the board and not reaching. That's the mark of a good team.

You nailed it!!!
The kicker is that this guy thinks Bushrod is good...........

First, the writer seems to think that an 11-5 season is "about right" for the Saints. I felt the Saints got extremely unlucky with missed field goals against Atlanta and Arizona costing them one clear win and possibly two. I really really really feel the Saints should have gone 13-3 last year. THAT would have been "about right" for the Saints.

Second, the writer says that without Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey the Saints will be desperate for an influx of talent. No, no, no. We have Jimmy Graham, a star in the making, and we just signed Shaun Rogers who isn't exactly talentless. Plus, we have another star on the rise in Malcolm Jenkins and the performances of Marques Colston and Lance Moore are unimpeachible.

Third, the writer states that "Sean Payton is a good coach. The problem is, he reminds you of a college coach who takes the league by storm and then loses his luster." Again, I completely disagree. It took Payton's fourth year and the addition of Gregg Williams as DC to take home the Lombardi. It's not as if Payton just waltzed into New Orleans and got a Super Bowl ring and was a flash in the pan. Three playoff runs out of five seasons doesn't exactly jive with the idea of a coach "losing his luster."

Other than that, it was okay, but I feel the article was written from the perspective of a bitter Colts fan.

This sentence was a red flag the writer is joined at the hips with those whining Viqueens fans:

"Everything went right for the Saints in 2009, even that stupid on-side kick."

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2009, even that stupid on-side kick. They could do no wrong. So this year, when starters went down with injury and their back-ups weren't that good, or when Brees proved to be a bit erratic or Sean Payton's calls weren't as magical, people started grasping for things to blame. 11-5 was actually a fair representation of the Saints' caliber. A few drinks and late night outs enjoying the Big Easy's famous jazz had nothing to do with it.

They had quality wins over Pittsburgh and Atlanta and suffered humiliating losses at Arizona and Seattle. 11-5 is a good record but its not special and after last season anything sort of magical wouldn't do.

Offseason Momentum: A hard reevaluation of where the Saints stand

The Saints played only slightly below expectations last year. If it weren't for a staggering loss at Seattle during their wildcard playoff matchup, the Saints would have ended up about right. Could they have beaten Chicago? Yeah sure, I don't see why not, but going much further in the playoffs was unlikely.

The Saints have survived with a brevity of talent (other than Drew Brees of course) by using schemes and a pass-happy, spread-the-field offense to create mismatches and advantages.

The Colts and Saints differ as to how they make the most of young inexperienced players. The Colts let Peyton Manning pound information and routes into receivers' heads until finally, after the millionth rep, they get it. The Saints don't develop the player as much. Coach Sean Payton exploits mismatches and using the player's talent to his advantage. Neither is right or wrong, as both models have proven successful, but by not focusing on the development of the player, it puts a lot more pressure on Sean Payton's creative play calling abilities. When players like Reggie Bush go down or when defenses finally catch up, the Lance Moore's and Robert Meachem's aren't as effective because they are scheme players and don't have the ability to compensate.

New Orleans is at the point (especially if they lose Bush and now that they've lost Shockey in free agency) that they are desperate for an influx of talent. If the Saints want to remain a top 10 team, which they probably will this year anyway, they will need playmakers on both sides of the ball - especially offense - to keep up with the other elites.

The Saints need to find players who are good enough to take over games without Drew Brees or Sean Payton's help.

Offseason Anxiety: Is the Saints' brand/strategy stale?

Sean Payton is a good coach. The problem is, he reminds you of a college coach who takes the league by storm and then loses his luster. You know, programs like Texas Tech or Hawaii that open up the playbook and spread it around. The Quarterbacks' numbers are so highly inflated (not the case here) and the coach is the darling of the nation. Oregon could be the next to succumb to such a fate. After 2 or 3 years those coaches and their systems are figured out and they fall to the fringes of the top 25 ranks. The hope (with the Saints too) is that all the media attention (and in their case the draw of New Orleans) will bring in top recruits and fresh talent and keep them in the top 10 in the league.

Look at Drew Brees. In 2009 Brees threw 34 touchdowns compared to 33 this year. Where's the drop off you say, right? Its in the interceptions. Brees' 2009 numbers doubled, up from 11 during their super bowl run to 22 this past season. Granted he threw the ball about 80 more times, but that is because the running game disappeared. Two years ago New Orleans dazzled the fans with 21 rushing touchdowns including a few spectacular diving plays by Reggie Bush. This year, the group had 9. Chris Ivory is not a bad back, but he is not a workhorse either.

Defensively same story. During their magical season the unit was incredibly opportunistic and made every play when called upon, including the Interceptions of Farve in the NFC title game and that damn pick 6 in the super bowl.

This year? Only 33 sacks and 9 interceptions compared with 35 sacks and 26 interceptions the year before. Those 15 more interceptions may explain that super bowl ring....

It doesn't mean the Saints are going to fade into oblivion, but with defenses are starting to figure the Saints' out, New Orleans needs to be bringing in, not losing, playmakers.

Draft Desires: Explosive playmakers

In terms of acquiring talent, big Shaun Rodgers was a smart first step. He is certainly only a shadow of his former self (a very big shadow I might add), but his acquisition could do wonders to shore up a leaky rush defense.

Before the draft, DT was the team's biggest concern. They filled that with Rogers although it wouldn't be shocking if they selected hometown hero LSU big man Drake Nevis for the future.

Safety is another need, but its a weak class so they pass on that position as well. Same goes for running back.

My bet is that the Saints trade out of the first round and snag both a safety and a running back in round 2.

Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure or Ryan Williams would be great additions to the offense, while Quinton Carter from Oklahoma would provide exactly what the Saints are looking for in the secondary.

Free Agent Farewells: Already lost Shockey to a division foe

For a team needing to go out and get talent, this free agency period is an absolute nightmare. The Saints have one of the longest lists of free agents in the league with starters across the board set to head north (Yet another reason why the Saints' should stockpile draft picks). If they don't aggressively resign half their current free agents, the nightmare could turn into reality and the Saints' might really stumble.

One player that Colts' fans should hope the Saints don't resign is Jermon Bushrod. There were rumors last year that the Colts' showed interest in Bushrod. If we could get him a year later without having to give up draft picks or our own young talent, that would be quite the steal and would really go a long way towards solving our line issues as Bushrod is an up-and-coming left tackle.

Threat to the Stampede: We play the NFC South

We play the NFC South so of course the threat that they beat us again is high. The Saints' are still (depending on free agency) a damn good team. As a Colts' fan I would love nothing more than for the Colts to sign away Bushrod and then watch Freeney and Mathis run wild all day, asserting pay back for robbing Peyton of his second super bowl MVP and Lombardi trophy in the process.

Saints are probably good for 10-11 wins and a 3rd consecutive trip to the playoffs. A return to the super bowl? Unlikely.

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